36 thoughts on “Contador doesn’t like going to the Doctor”

The tifosi, if that’s what we can call the insane clown posse that has invaded the tour over the past couple years, is simply off the hook. I fear for the riders at times, and I’m quite surprised by how raucous the fans are becoming…or perhaps I easily forget thatthis is status quo.

Mr. Contador isn’t the first cyclist to lash out at over zealous spectators trying to “be in the moment” while cycling up the hard hills of glory. In fact, is was quite justifiable. Interesting as it is, does anyone have a comment about how some of the “running” spectators were mishandled by the tour security during that final climb?

some of those ‘fans’ were pretty out of control, but what can you expect when they’ve been partying for 24 hours (or more)? in the Sporza broadcast, Jose de Cauwer said, “the organizers could set a few more motos or a car out there [to keep the fans off]…or perhaps a bulldozer with a big blade.”

in interviews after the stage riders said of the Alpe:

Johnny Hoogerland: “there were kilometers where I only had to hold my handlebars, I didn’t even have to pedal; I was worried with all the pushing that my stitches were coming out, but whatever, the Tour is almost over.”

Rob Ruijgh joked: “they were pushing me so hard, a few times I think could put it in the big ring.”

Laurens ten Dam: “I went through turn 7 [Dutch Corner] with my hands in the air, I had my radio taken off me…it was crazy, but incredible.”

besides being hard as a rock, LtD is also a drunk cyclist! former Rabo rider and DS, Erik Dekker, hopped the barrier about 2km from the finish and handed LtD a cold Heineken.

Really hoping that livewrong dude was going to be dressed up in yellow with the massive syringes on the mountain!
Do you think Evan’s can actually do the business in the TT though? We’re all waiting with bated breath but I’m not so certain Andy hasn’t got a trick up his sleeve.

I remember when the used to hand out personal fouls in the NFL for crowd noise. It had a pretty negative effect on the fan base.

I’m not sure how many spectators they rode past, I imagine it is in the millions. No dogs that I saw, no cars that I saw, a few spectators going a bit over the top. Seems like a pretty good track record.

I’d hate to see an Americanized version – cops with pepper spray, tasers and night sticks…I like it the way it is.

I love the crowds as much as the next guy…watching Armstrong and Ullrich racing up the alps with crowds running behind them is unmistakably rad. But seeing people injured and dropping out of the race because of spectators is a real bummer.

@ Angry Buddhist: Velodromes were the race du jour as the automobile came on. Remember Madison Square Garden’s original purpose? It’s no coincidence that NASCAR turns left. Velodromes turned left first. That heritage has all too easily been overlooked. Maybe it’s unfortunate that we’re a young country that, like a fresh 16 year old with a new driving liscense, traded the bike for the instant gratification that internal combustion provides. Thank gods the Internet & television let us see the heritage that remains over there.

They’ve moved the barriers further down year on year, and even having them there didn’t stop Guerini from being knocked over by a fuckwit with a camera in ’99. You can’t have the spectators cordoned in all the way down to Bourg d’Oisans. I’m all for letting the crowds police themselves, but this year’s atmosphere didn’t feel so good: too many performance artists. They’ve been nutcases forever (compare ’89) but they weren’t trying to get on the back pages.

Just compared the stage to the Étape results: the top guy, a 42-y-o former pro, finished with a time around that of the autobus today. Not bad at all.

He wasn’t trying to punch the guy in the face, if you look the guy in the doctor costume touches Contador with his fake stethoscope so Contador responded by hitting his hand away and accidentally hit the guy in the face.